Thud Ridge: F-105 Thunderchief missions over Vietnam [Paperback]

Jack Broughton (Author), Hanson Baldwin (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 15, 2006

This is the story of a special breed of warrior, the fighter-bomber pilot; the story of valiant men who flew the F-105 Thunderchief Thud Fighter-Bomber over the hostile skies of North Vietnam.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Wings & Airpower Magazine, December 2006 “’Once a classic, always a classic,’ and this book is certainly no exception. Originally published in 1969 when the combat experiences of the Vietnam War were still happening in real-time, Thud Ridge tells the frustrating tale of Air Force strike pilots who were thrust into the war in its early stages, and who had to literally ‘write the book’ as they flew each dangerous and hair-raising mission. Jack Broughton is not only a fighter pilot’s fighter pilot, but a gifted write who can put you right into the hot sweaty cockpit of a Republic F-105 Thunderchief flying its payload of 750-lb. bombs right up Route Pack 6 and into the heavily defended piece of real estate that gives this book its name.   “Now enhanced by compelling and candid photographs running chronologically through the narrative, this book not only tells the story of aerial bravery during the early phases of Vietnam, but gives the reader a veritable encyclopedia of information on all the combat hardware employed in the conflict. An appendix showing aircraft flown and equipment used in Southeast Asia offers the kind of detail that really puts this book into proper historical perspective. Whether or not you were captivated by the original, this new release serves as a valuable re-visit to a pivotal era in military history that changed the face of aerial combat as we knew it. There are few people on this earth better suited to tell the story than Col. Jack Broughton.”

--Wings & Airpower Magazine, December 200

About the Author

Colonel Jack Broughton, was awarded the Air Force Cross (second only to the Medal of Honor) for his service in the Vietnam air wars. He served in Korea and for three years commanded the Air Force demonstration team, the Thunderbirds. He has flown virtually all the US Air Force’s operational aircraft and was combat-ready in every fighter from the P-47 to the F-106. He currently lives in California.

Hanson W. Baldwin, Pulitzer Prize winning journalist, military affairs reporter and editor for the New York Times from 1929-1968, and editor for Reader's Digest, 1968-1976

 

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: Crecy Publishing (November 15, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0859791165
• ISBN-13: 978-0859791168
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #99,141 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best books on the air war in Vietnam, January 17, 2006

By 

Thud Driver (Las Vegas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thud Ridge (Paperback)

I ahave read this book many times over the years and the story that Col. Broughton tells is what really happened in the skies of N. Vietnam, not what you may have heard on the news or read in a paper. He tells in detail the fallacy of Johnson's and McNamar's stupidity in waging war and their completely ignorant use of air power, not to mention the rules of engagement. THis is absolutely a book that should be read by anyone interested int the Vietnem War. The book alludes to what happened to Col Broughton because of two of his Majors, and the total lack of care by those Generals in command of 7th and 13th Air Force, who ended up hangin him out to dry. His follow up book details this story and is also a book not to be missed. THis book alonf with "Going Downtown" should be made into a movie. Col Broughton was an American Hero in every sense of the word, and a fighter pilot's pilot, and he was let down by the leadership of the very arm of the service that he pledged his loyalty to. He was also the leader of the early Thunderbirds.

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading in leadership, August 22, 2002

By 

Butch Cabanban (Philippines) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Thud Ridge (Mass Market Paperback)

I have read this book so many times. A graduate of West Point, Jack Broughton is a fighter pilot's fighter pilot. He brings you into the cockpit of the F-105 and into combat. It is a fast paced story told from the point of view of a fighter pilot and leader. If you read this book you will understand why the US lost in Vietnam. You will feel the bitterness of men who fought in Vietnam against their own bureacracy and the political leadership in Washington. To this day, it amazes me that Washington tried to fight a war, half a world away, micro managing down to the level of target selection, routes and engagement rules. Colonel Broughton is a hero. America should keep men like him close to its heart instead of ending a career like his for a bureacratic snafu. This book is about combat leadership and the warrior ethic. The lessons learned from this book very well apply today. Students at the officer schools, academies, squadron officer school, air command and staff, even higher should be required to read this book and Broughton's other one, Going Downtown.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Duty, Honor, Country, betrayed by Stupidity, Insanity., July 21, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Thud Ridge (Mass Market Paperback)

"Serria Hotel" book about a "Tango Uniform" situation. I have read and re-read this book many times over the years. Col Broughton captured the essense of the words Duty, Honor, Country. His DUTY was to the men he led into the jaws of death, usually twice daily. His HONOR demanded that he protect them at all costs. And his COUNTRY sent him, and thousands more, "in harms way" without understanding, or caring what this meant. Col. Broughton's book tells the story of men who became dis-allusioned in their Country's leadership, but continued to fight, and die, because THEIR honor required it of them.